The Meanies are absolute legends of Australian punk rock, and they are tearing through 2026 like a runaway train. Formed in Melbourne back in 1988, these sonic maniacs have spent nearly four decades delivering chaotic, high-energy pop-punk packed with hooks and bruises. Fronted by the indestructible Link Meanie, they are a band that leaves everything on the stage – literally – known for chaotic live sets that frequently end with broken gear or broken bones. After surviving decades of rock ‘n’ roll storms, they are still one of the most vital, loud, and uncompromising underground bands in the country.
If you think these veteran punks are slowing down, you are dead wrong. The rest of 2026 is completely packed with heavy riffs, interstate chaos, and killer new wax. The band is currently crisscrossing the country on a huge national run. They are teaming up with their longtime brothers-in-arms, Spiderbait, acting as the main support on the massive Ivy & The Big Apples anniversary tour. This means they are bringing their blistering noise to huge venues like Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall on 25 July and Canberra’s legendary venue The Baso on 30 July.
Right after the arena-sized rock shows, The Meanies are jumping straight back into the sweaty club trenches. They have joined forces with Queensland punk unit Dad Fight for a brutal split 7-inch vinyl release featuring fresh tracks from both bands. Dubbed “the old bull and the young calf, together at last,” they are launching the wax with a lethal East Coast tour.
HEAVY caught up with Link Meanie to find out more, asking how the body is holding up these days.
“Oh, pretty shit,” he laughed. “Yeah, I was just rueing selling the comfy chair that I had here, and now I’m just sitting on a drum stool. My back’s fucking killing me! I’ve done so much damage over the years that I knew it would come back and bite me at some stage.”
We follow up by asking Link if he finds the need to do more stretches and warm-ups now before hitting the stage.
“The only time I was ever fit in my life was probably the turn of the millennium when I was doing Kung Fu, and I was actually quite fit then,” he smiled. “God, I’m a couch potato now (laughs).“
In the full interview, we chat more about life on the road and the perils of ageing. We discussed still touring with Spiderbait and Link‘s memories of the very first time they played together, as well as a list of upcoming shows this year.
The run of shows with Dad Fight was discussed, including the nurturing role The Meanies play when hitting the road with the next generation of bands. We talked about the 7″ split single release between The Meanies and Dad Fight and where to get it, as well as the possibility of a new album in the near future and more.
